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MPSC Approves More than $89 million in Michigan Energy Assistance Program Grants

August 22, 2014 - The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), today approved Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grants totaling $89,500,000 to 13 organizations for the fiscal year beginning October 1.

The Commission on July 1 issued a request for proposals soliciting projects that will provide energy assistance programs to help low-income households meet home energy costs, with a focus on services that will enable participants to become or move toward becoming self sufficient. Based on its review, the MPSC approved the following grants

Barry County United Way – $165,100 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in Barry County.

Consumers Energy Company – $13,177,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.

DHHS – Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity – $7 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households statewide.

DTE Energy – $17 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.

Flat River Outreach Ministries, Inc. – $57,900 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in the Lowell School District.

Michigan Community Action Agency Association – $9 million to provide energy assistance program services to low income households statewide.

SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company – $2,250,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit – $3 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in 39 counties throughout the state of Michigan.

Superior Watershed Partnership – $1,250,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households throughout the 15 counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The Heat and Warmth Fund – $10 million to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in 68 counties throughout the state of Michigan.

The Salvation Army – $13,125,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households statewide.

TrueNorth Community Services – $13,125,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in 63 counties throughout the state of Michigan.

The grants will be funded by $50 million collected through a low income energy assistance funding factor approved by the MPSC; and $40 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds provided by DHHS.

A majority of these funds will be expended by the above organizations during the "crisis season" that begins November 1 and ends May 31. Low-income households are encouraged to seek assistance during that time.